Poetry Appreciation - 01 (A Bird on The Wire)

Appreciating Poetry

Poem-1

Read the following poem and do the activities that follow.

A Bird on The Wire

Leonard Cohen

Like a bird on the wire

Like a drunk in a midnight choir

I have tried in my way to be free

Like a worm on a hook

Like a knight from some old fashioned book

I have saved all my ribbons for thee

If I, if I have been unkind

I hope that you can just let it go by

If I, if I have been untrue

I hope you know it was never to you

Oh, like a baby, stillborn

Like a beast with his horn

I have torn everyone who reached out for me

But I swear by this song

And by all that I have done wrong

I will make it all up to thee

a) Answer the following questions. 2x5=10

i. What is the significance of metaphor ‘Like a bird on the wire’ in the poem?

ii. How does the poet explore the theme of regret in the poem?

iii. What role does the imagery play in conveying the poem’s theme?

iv. How does the poem reflect poet’s personal experiences?

v. How does the poem reflect on the nature of human relationship?

b) Read the poem again, and identify 3 metaphors and 2 similes used in the

poem. Then explain the purpose of their uses. 2x5 =10

c) Read the poem again and express your feelings. 10

Answer:

a) Answer the following questions.

i. What is the significance of the metaphor "Like a bird on the wire" in the poem?

The metaphor "Like a bird on the wire" shows that the poet feels fragile and uncertain. A bird sitting on a wire can easily fall or fly away, which represents how the poet tries to live freely but finds it difficult because of life's challenges.

ii. How does the poet explore the theme of regret in the poem?

The poet talks about regret by saying sorry for things he has done wrong. He admits that he may have hurt people and feels bad about it. Lines like "If I have been unkind" show that he wants to be forgiven for his mistakes and wants to fix the things he has done wrong.

iii. What role does the imagery play in conveying the poem’s theme?

The images in the poem, like "a bird on the wire" and "a worm on a hook," help us understand how the poet feels trapped and hurt. These images help explain his feelings of wanting freedom but also feeling stuck and guilty about things he has done.

iv. How does the poem reflect the poet’s personal experiences?

The poem seems to reflect the poet’s own experiences of feeling trapped, making mistakes, and wanting forgiveness. The feelings of regret and the desire to make up for past wrongs could be related to the poet’s own life and his relationships.

v. How does the poem reflect on the nature of human relationships?

The poem shows that human relationships can be complicated. The poet admits that he may have hurt the people who care about him, even though he didn’t mean to. He asks for forgiveness and hopes to fix the relationships he has damaged, showing the importance of saying sorry and making things right in human connections.

b) Read the poem again, and identify 3 metaphors and 2 similes used in the poem. Then explain the purpose of their uses.

Metaphors:

• "I have saved all my ribbons for thee"

  • The "ribbons" metaphorically represent the speaker's achievements, efforts, or personal gifts that he has reserved for someone special. The comparison of "ribbons" to intangible things like efforts or feelings is a metaphor.

• "I have torn everyone who reached out for me"

  • This metaphor suggests that the speaker has hurt those who have tried to help or connect with him. The use of "torn" does not literally mean he physically tore people, but emotionally or metaphorically wounded them.

Similes:

1. "Like a bird on the wire" – This shows the poet feels like he's balancing between freedom and being stuck, always on the edge.

2. "Like a drunk in a midnight choir" – This shows that the poet feels out of place or not in control, but still trying to find where he belongs.

Purpose of their uses:

The metaphors and similes help explain the poet’s feelings and struggles. They show how he feels trapped, guilty, and lost, but still trying to find freedom and fix his mistakes. These comparisons help us understand his emotional pain more clearly.

c) Read the poem again and express your feelings.

After reading the poem, I felt a deep sense of sadness and reflection. The poet’s expression of regret and his attempts to seek forgiveness struck a chord with me. He acknowledges that he has hurt people unintentionally, which made me think about how we all sometimes cause pain to those we care about, even when we don't mean to. This sense of regret is something many people can relate to, and it made me feel sympathetic towards the poet.

The imagery, like "a bird on the wire" and "a worm on a hook," paints a vivid picture of someone who feels trapped and vulnerable. It made me feel the weight of the poet’s emotional struggle. The bird on the wire made me think of someone trying to balance between freedom and the limitations of life, constantly struggling to stay steady. The worm on the hook reminded me of the helplessness people often feel when they are caught in difficult situations, unable to escape.

As I continued reading, I could feel the poet's desire to make up for his mistakes. The line "I will make it all up to thee" shows his deep longing to fix the wrongs he has done. This gave me a sense of hope, as it reminded me that, despite our past mistakes, there is always a chance to seek forgiveness and try to make things right. The poet’s willingness to admit his faults and ask for understanding made me think about how important it is to face our mistakes honestly.

Overall, the poem left me feeling thoughtful and introspective. It made me think about my own relationships and how important it is to be kind and forgiving, both to others and to ourselves. The poet's journey through guilt, regret, and the desire for redemption touched me, and it made me appreciate the complexity of human emotions and the power of forgiveness.

Theme of the Poem:

This poem, "A Bird on the Wire" by Leonard Cohen, expresses the speaker's struggle with freedom, love, and regret. The speaker compares himself to a bird on a wire and a drunk in a choir, showing how he has tried to be free but has often felt trapped or lost. He also likens himself to a worm on a hook and a knight from an old book, suggesting his efforts to hold onto love. The speaker admits that he has hurt others, either by being unkind or unfaithful, but he asks for forgiveness, explaining that his wrongs were never meant to hurt the person he loves. He compares himself to a stillborn baby and a wild beast, showing how he has pushed people away. Despite his mistakes, he promises to make things right and prove his love.

Full Explanation and Vocabulary

Line

Easy Analysis

Bangla Meaning

Like a bird on the wire

The speaker feels trapped but still tries to live freely, like a bird balancing on a wire.

তার মতোই, যে তারের ওপর বসে থাকে, বাধা পেলেও মুক্ত হতে চায়।

Like a drunk in a midnight choir

The speaker compares themselves to a person who feels out of place, like a drunk singing with others.

মধ্যরাতের গানে মাতালের মতো, যে কোথাও মানিয়ে নিতে পারছে না।

I have tried in my way to be free

They have made efforts to live freely, but in their own imperfect way.

আমি আমার মতো করে মুক্ত হওয়ার চেষ্টা করেছি।

Like a worm on a hook

The speaker feels vulnerable, like a worm stuck on a hook, unable to escape.

হুকের ওপর আটকে থাকা কেঁচোর মতো, অসহায় বোধ করছি।

Like a knight from some old-fashioned book

They’ve kept their promises or ideals, like a knight who holds onto old values.

পুরোনো কোনো বইয়ের যোদ্ধার মতো, আমি আমার প্রতিশ্রুতি রক্ষা করেছি।

I have saved all my ribbons for thee

The speaker has held onto their good intentions and efforts for someone special.

তোমার জন্য আমার সব ভালোবাসা ও প্রচেষ্টা জমিয়ে রেখেছি।

If I, if I have been unkind

They admit they might have hurt others.

যদি আমি কোনোভাবে নিষ্ঠুর হই, তাহলে আমি স্বীকার করছি।

I hope that you can just let it go by

The speaker asks for forgiveness for any harm they may have caused.

আমি আশা করি তুমি আমাকে ক্ষমা করবে।

If I, if I have been untrue

They admit they might have lied or been dishonest.

যদি আমি মিথ্যা বলি, আমি তা স্বীকার করছি।

I hope you know it was never to you

They reassure the person that any lies were never directed at them.

আমি আশা করি তুমি জানো, সেই মিথ্যা কখনো তোমার উদ্দেশ্যে ছিল না।

Oh, like a baby, stillborn

The speaker feels like they’ve caused pain and disappointment, like a stillborn child brings sorrow.

মৃত শিশুর মতো, আমি যন্ত্রণা এবং হতাশা সৃষ্টি করেছি।

Like a beast with his horn

They feel like they have hurt others aggressively, like an animal with horns.

শিংওয়ালা জন্তুর মতো আমি আক্রমণাত্মকভাবে অন্যদের আঘাত করেছি।

I have torn everyone who reached out for me

The speaker admits they’ve hurt people who tried to help them.

যারা আমাকে সাহায্য করতে চেয়েছে, আমি তাদের ক্ষতি করেছি।

But I swear by this song

They promise through this song to make things right.

আমি এই গানের মাধ্যমে প্রতিশ্রুতি দিচ্ছি, সবকিছু ঠিক করে দেব।

And by all that I have done wrong

They admit their mistakes, but intend to correct them.

আমি আমার ভুলগুলো স্বীকার করছি, কিন্তু ঠিক করার প্রতিশ্রুতি দিচ্ছি।

I will make it all up to thee

The speaker vows to make things better for the person they care about.

আমি তোমার জন্য সব ঠিক করে দেবার প্রতিশ্রুতি দিচ্ছি।

Vocabulary

Word/Expression	Meaning (Simple English)	Bangla Meaning
All my ribbons	All my accomplishments or rewards.	আমার সব ফিতা: আমার সব অর্জন বা পুরস্কার।
Beast with his horn	An aggressive or harmful person.	শিংওয়ালা জন্তু: আক্রমণাত্মক বা ক্ষতিকর ব্যক্তি।
Bird on the wire	A person trying to be free but feeling trapped.	তারের ওপর পাখি: বাধা পেয়েও মুক্ত হওয়ার চেষ্টা করা।
Clasp	To hold tightly or grip something.	আঁকড়ে ধরা: শক্ত করে ধরা।
Coffins of clay	Symbol of death or burial.	মৃতদেহের কফিন: মৃত্যুর প্রতীক।
Drunk in a midnight choir	Someone who feels out of place or disconnected.	মধ্যরাতের গানে মাতাল: দলে মানিয়ে নিতে না পারা।
Free	To live without restrictions or limitations.	মুক্ত: কোনো বাধা ছাড়াই বাঁচা।
Harbinger	Something that signals the coming of something.	দূত: আগমনের সংকেতবাহক।
Hook	A curved object that catches things, here a symbol of being trapped.	হুক: আটকে থাকার প্রতীক।
If I have been unkind	If I have been mean or hurtful.	যদি আমি নিষ্ঠুর হই: যদি আমি অমায়িক বা আঘাত করি।
If I have been untrue	If I have lied or been dishonest.	যদি আমি মিথ্যা বলি: যদি আমি অসৎ হই।
Knight from an old-fashioned book	Someone who follows old values or ideals.	পুরোনো বইয়ের যোদ্ধা: পুরোনো আদর্শে বিশ্বাসী।
Let it go by	To forgive or ignore a mistake.	ছেড়ে দেওয়া: ভুল বা অন্যায় ক্ষমা করা।
Midnight choir	A group singing at night, symbolizing confusion or being lost.	মধ্যরাতের গায়ক দল: বিভ্রান্তি বা পথভ্রষ্টতার প্রতীক।
Mist	Thin cloud or fog that covers things.	কুয়াশা: পাতলা মেঘ বা কুয়াশা যা ঢাকা দেয়।
Moon's soft rays	The gentle light of the moon.	চাঁদের কোমল আলো।
Ribbons	Symbol for achievements or important things.	ফিতা: সাফল্য বা গুরুত্বপূর্ণ কিছুর প্রতীক।
Roar	A loud sound, often made by animals or storms.	গর্জন: প্রাণী বা ঝড়ের উচ্চ শব্দ।
Shadows numberless	Countless shadows, symbolizing many unknown things.	অসংখ্য ছায়া: অসংখ্য অজানা কিছুর প্রতীক।
Stillborn	A baby born dead, symbol for something that fails to happen.	মৃত শিশু: ব্যর্থতার প্রতীক।
Soot	Black dust left after burning.	কালি: পোড়ানোর পরের কালো ধুলো।
Song	Music or melody, here symbolizing emotions or promises.	গান: সুর বা আবেগের প্রতীক।
Spring	The season after winter, symbolizing renewal.	বসন্ত: পুনর্জীবনের প্রতীক।
Swear	To make a serious promise.	শপথ করা: গম্ভীর প্রতিশ্রুতি দেওয়া।
Tattered	Torn or worn out.	ছেঁড়া: ছিঁড়ে যাওয়া বা পুরনো।
Tears	Drops of water from the eyes when sad.	অশ্রু: চোখ থেকে পানি পড়া, সাধারণত দুঃখে।
Thorn	A sharp point on a plant, symbolizing pain.	কাঁটা: গাছের ধারালো অংশ, যেটা কষ্টের প্রতীক।
Torn	To rip or break something apart.	ছিঁড়ে ফেলা: কোনো কিছু টুকরো টুকরো করা।
Tried to be free	Attempted to live without restrictions.	মুক্ত হওয়ার চেষ্টা: বাধা ছাড়া বাঁচার চেষ্টা।
Unkind	Not being nice or gentle.	নিষ্ঠুর: ভালো না হওয়া।
Untrue	Being dishonest or lying.	মিথ্যা: অসৎ হওয়া বা মিথ্যা বলা।